Turf Talk: Skiffle tunes up for Investec Oaks

Lee Sobot

Skiffle is poised to be supplemented for the Investec Oaks at Epsom on Friday week.

The Dubawi filly, owned by Godolphin and trained by Charlie Appleby, caught the eye at Goodwood last Thursday with a one-length success in the Listed Height of Fashion Stakes over a mile and a quarter.

She is now on verge of being added to the Oaks field at a cost of £30,000.

Godolphin chief executive and racing manager John Ferguson said: “She has thrived over the last month.

“She won well at Goodwood, a legitimate Oaks trial, and although the first thought was the Grade Two Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot, recent events over the weekend suggested the Oaks might be a little more open than we thought.

“It would be wrong of us not to consider the possibility of supplementing. The ultimate decision will be made by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed over the weekend.”

There’s a quality card at Sandown tomorrow evening with Melbourne Cup runner-up Max Dynamite among five horses declared for the Henry II Stakes.

Willie Mullins’ dual purpose performer will be making his seasonal debut after his fine effort in Australia where he was only beaten half a length in the Group One feature. Also making his reappearance is the Sir Mark Prescott-trained Pallastor, winner of the Doncaster Cup.

Ed de Giles’ mare Frosty Berry, a shock 50-1 winner when flooring Clever Cookie at Nottingham, aims to show that victory was no fluke while Richard Fahey’s consistent stayer Suegioo and Burmese from Marcus Tregoning’s stable complete the list.

Time Test also tops a field of seven declared for the Brigadier Gerard Stakes.

The four-year-old has been rerouted to the Esher track after being taken out of Sunday’s Tattersalls Gold Cup due to the rain-softened ground at the Curragh.